The November sky was gray with clouds. Jack sat reading infront of the living room fire. Who wants hot chocolate? his dad called from the kitchen. Me, please! said Jack. The front door burst open, and with a gust of cold wind,Annie rushed inside. Jac...
It was much easier walkingdown1,652 steps than walking up. Jack and Annie walkeddown and down and down and down and down anddown and down and down and down and down anddown-until finally they stepped onto the ground. Jack noticed that the two-seater...
Jack's knees turned to jelly. The knocking cameagain. Mr. Eiffel laughed. Goodness,anotherunexpected guest! He started toward the door. Don't open it! Jack shouted. Everyone looked at Jack as if he were crazy. It's the sorcerer! Jack said. My sister...
Jack could see the Paris sky through the iron rails ofthe tower. At first, climbing was easy. The stepsweren't very steep, and Jack counted each one as theyclimbed. Twenty-six, twenty-seven, twenty-eight ...I wonder what's going on at the top now, sa...
Wow, whispered Jack. He reached into his satcheland pulled out their rhyme book. I'll say the first line of the rhyme, Jack said toAnnie. You say the second. Then we'll start pedalingas fast as we can. The street's empty. No one will seeus. So we can...
Jack and Annie whirled around. A dark figure wasstanding at a side door of the institute. The sorcerer! Jack thought. He frantically tried to remember hisline of the rhyme. Can I help you? the figure said. He steppedforward into the light of a gas la...
Jack and Annie pressed through the crowd ofpeople swarming about the Hall of Machines. Finallythey reached the exit and slipped back out into thewarm Paris night. The fair was just as crowdedoutside the hall as inside. Musicians played guitars,singer...
Jack ran after Annie. He caught up to her outsidethe huge building made of glass. She was standing inline waiting to buy tickets. Listen, Jack said breathlessly, we . . . we've got tomake a plan. What if we suddenly find the sorcerer? What do we say...
Wow, said Jack and Annie together. Inside the crowded fairgrounds, below the loomingEiffel Tower, a band played a lively march. Fountainsshot colored water high into the sky. A small trainchugged through the crowd, blowing its whistle. People of all...
Jack opened his eyes. The scent of roses floatedthrough the warm twilight. Jack was wearing an old-fashioned cap, a rust-colored jacket, and knee-lengthpants. His backpack had turned into a leather satchel. Annie was wearing a puffy white blouse and...